Minnesota Legislature 46 , CD3 DFL

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: January 15, 2021

Neighbors,

This legislative session we will work on action to support Minnesotans and protect their economic security during the pandemic. Committees are meeting and we’ve heard from agencies about their work and how they partner with the Legislature.

For each committee, the focus has been on updating the pandemic response including the hopeful news on the roll-out of vaccinations.

In the Early Childhood committee, which I service as vice-chair, we learned about the importance of continuing grants to childcare providers to assist in keeping them open in difficult times.

Senate DFLWeek in Review: January 15, 2021

Senate DFL encourages Minnesotans to avoid the Capitol

Following the assault on the U.S. Capitol, reports have surfaced of the potential of white nationalist and far-right groups instigating violence at state capitols throughout the country — including at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, over the next few days through the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden. Read more >>

Legislature receives an update on vaccination planning and rollout

This week the Aging and Long-Term Care Policy and Health and Human Services Committees heard updates on Minnesota’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout. This week Minnesota has been steadily working through Phase 1a of vaccinations, which includes health care workers and long-term care residents and staff. Read more >>

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: January 14, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

First and foremost, I want to assure you of the precautions the Minnesota State Capital will be taking to ensure the safety of all lawmakers and staff in the midst of the political unrest both locally and nationally. My colleagues and I are committed to uphold democracy and continue our work to make sure we fulfill our oath of office and make Minnesota a better place for all.

Priorities for the 2021 Session

This week, my colleagues and I in the House, announced our first priorities for the session. We will work to introduce and implement legislation that will provide assistance to Minnesotans impacted by COVID-19, strengthen worker protections, better support people experiencing houselessness, support our education system, and ensure affordable child care is available to those who need it.

Sen. Melissa Wiklund (SD50) Update: January 14, 2021

January 14, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

To say that the last few weeks have been eventful is a bit of an understatement. While I know that many of us have our attention turned to our national Capitol, I wanted to update you about the work that has already begun in St. Paul. I’m continually grateful to have the opportunity to serve Richfield and Bloomington in the Minnesota Senate, and to represent diverse communities as important conversations occur.

2021 Legislative Session Begins

On January 5th, the 92nd Minnesota Legislature was sworn in. New to the Senate are three Republicans, and seven DFLers. I was proud to be sworn in for my third term representing our district. Although the first day looked a little bit different, it was still a strong reminder of the seriousness of the work before us. I will be serving on the following committees this session:

Health and Human Services Finance and Policy – DFL Lead
Human Services Reform Finance and Policy
Technology Reform Policy

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: January 14, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

The 2021 Legislative Session started on January 5th, and due to the pandemic, it was unlike any swearing-in day in Minnesota history. For the safety of staff and members, the vast majority of members were sworn in over Zoom.

Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Paul Thissen gives the oath of office remotely to a group of House members. Photo by Paul Battaglia.

I’m honored to continue serving as Speaker of the House and lead our efforts to build a Minnesota that works better for everyone.

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: January 14, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

Approximately 146,901 Minnesotans have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, including 29,684 in Hennepin County and 6,294 in Anoka County. As you may have heard or seen in the news, the vaccine is being administered in phases. Health care workers and long term care residents will be the first to receive it, followed by essential workers, those 65 or older, and those with underlying health conditions.

It’s estimated that more than 50 percent of the vaccines produced have been held back by the federal government. Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that they would grant a request from Governor Walz and eight other governors to release millions of these critically-needed vaccines. If you’d like to stay updated throughout the vaccine distribution process, Minnesota’s new Vaccine Data Dashboard is a great resource.

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: January 13, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

I am honored to continue serving our community in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

The 2021 Legislative Session began on January 5th, and adherent to public health guidelines, many of our members took the oath of office virtually, and we anticipate doing the majority of our work remotely this session to keep our community safe and prevent potential COVID spreads.

On Last Week’s News

Election disinformation and inciting violence on our nation’s Capital is an attack on democracy. The insurrection in Washington D.C should serve as a final wake up call for all elected officials, national and local, to unite in the face of violence and restore trust in our democratic system. We must come together as a nation to not only condemn, but take action and heal our communities from the assault we witnessed from our screens on January 6.

Minnesota House Democrats discuss first priorities for 2021 Legislative Session

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House DFL leaders and legislators discussed their first priorities for the 2021 Legislative Session today. The legislation focuses on the ongoing pandemic and assisting Minnesotans struggling as a result of COVID-19.

“Minnesotans deserve to be safe, healthy, and have economic security,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “While vaccines bring hope that the end of the pandemic is in sight, COVID-19 continues to threaten our families and communities. House Democrats are focused on responding to the needs of Minnesotans, helping them weather this pandemic and thrive after it ends.”

“The work of the people of Minnesota must continue, despite threats of violence encouraged by top Republicans politicians and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “Despite the unprecedented challenges facing us, House Democrats will still work to advance a policy agenda to meet Minnesota’s needs. The priorities we are announcing today are immediate steps the Legislature can take to help the health and livelihoods of workers, families, and small businesses hurt the most by COVID-19.”

Violent threats targeting Minnesota leaders on the rise

It’s a trend that started long before last week’s storming of the U.S. Capitol cheered on by a crowd in St. Paul.

Violent threats against Minnesota’s political leaders are growing in frequency and intensity, a trend that started long before last week’s storming of the U.S. Capitol cheered on by a crowd in St. Paul.

The rise came as lawmakers grappled with responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer last summer. In the backdrop were a pandemic and officials administering an election shrouded by unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud.

“Those of us who have been doing nothing but trying to protect people from COVID’s spread and conduct fair elections, having to put up with this level of threat is just ridiculous to me,” said Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose role includes enforcing the state’s COVID-19 restrictions. Continue reading.

Gov. Tim Walz, Republican legislators start session with clash over Capitol attack

An annual panel with state leaders erupted with Walz making accusations of gaslighting and GOP drawing comparisons to George Floyd protests.

Gov. Tim Walz condemned Republican legislators for continuing to sow doubts about the November election results and said he wants to hear them say, “President Trump permitted sedition.”

“How do we talk about reaching a compromise on the budget when we can’t agree that our elections were fair?” Walz asked during an annual event Monday with legislative leaders, where he accused Republicans of “pretty epic gaslighting.”

In one of the DFL governor’s sternest public rebukes of his GOP colleagues to date, Walz described how the State Patrol removed his son from their home last week and took him to a safe location. The 14-year-old had to leave the governor’s residence as Trump supporters threatened Walz during a rally at the State Capitol on the same day as the insurrection in Washington. He was crying as he tried to look for Scout, the family’s dog, Walz said. Continue reading.

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Priorities for the 2021 Session

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2021 Legislative Session Begins

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